Sunday Opinion: Seniors retiring at home, better VA care, and viva democracy

Morning, folks.  A generally upbeat slate of opinion pages today, with editors celebrating democracy, better veteran services, and the opportunity presented by more seniors retiring at home rather than moving away.  Have at it.

The Glens Falls Post Star celebrates the notion that grassroots democracy is alive and well in the US, from the tea party to the pitched tents on Wall Street to more home grown activist groups in the North Country.

In Lake George, citizens concerned about the town’s money management, its administration of the zoning code and the health of the lake organized, spoke up, wrote letters and held public forums. They agitated and motivated enough town residents to get their slate of three candidates elected on Tuesday, forming a bloc which can dominate the board.

In Fort Ann, the Committee for Better Government for the People of Fort Ann won a similar victory, electing a supervisor and two Town Board candidates, after campaigning on an open government platform.

This will be the first Veterans Day since a Veterans Administration health clinic was opened in August in Saranac Lake. That new service, centrally located in the Tri-Lakes area, is worth thinking of fondly today, and while you’re at it, give thanks for the local people like Frank Karl of Onchiota, whose hard work is the reason it’s here.

This Korean War vet tirelessly and cheerfully lobbied officials of all kinds to get this clinic, and he has never stopped networking for the ongoing support of it and the veterans it serves.

The Plattsurgh Press-Republican suggests that helping baby boomers retire in place might pose some real opportunities for businesses, especially as the economy nudges more seniors into staying put.

So how can businesses profit from that trend? In the North Country, a number of new services could be offered that would appeal to older residents.

For example, right now, very few gas stations offer full service. Younger people know how to pump their own gas and don’t mind doing it. But when you are in your 70s and the temperature is in the teens, the idea of someone pumping your gas may seem more appealing. And you probably won’t mind paying a bit extra for it.

Finally, as the North Country wrestles with government job cuts, I thought this was an interesting note:  the city of Troy is dealing with the likely loss of 600 state jobs — a big hit to a struggling small city.  This from the Albany Times-Union.

It was just a decade ago that moving state jobs to places like Troy and Schenectady was part of a deliberate, and somewhat successful, Pataki administration strategy to help revive struggling cities. Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno was in his glory then, eager to pump money into Rensselaer County any way he could.

So there you go.  Enjoy your Sunday, folks.

Tags: opinion